Digital still camera

ABSTRACT

In a digital still camera, when the reproducing mode is selected, an indication to the effect that the operation is in standby for reproduction is displayed on an indicating device, and if the command dial is not operated until 16 seconds elapses after the indication has been started, the supply of source voltage to the various parts of the camera is stopped, to achieve a reduction in power consumption. If the command dial is operated within 16 seconds, image signals are output to an external monitor and also an indication to the effect that reproduction is in progress is displayed on the indicating device. If the command dial has been operated within three minutes after reproduction of a given photographic frame has been started, reproduction of the following frame is performed, but if the command dial has not been operated until the three minutes have elapsed, the indication to the effect that the operation is in standby for reproduction is displayed again. If the sensitivity changeover switch and the command dial are operated together during reproduction or standby for reproduction, the photographic frame to be reproduced is determined in correspondence to the quantity and direction of the rotation of the command dial and the frame number of the frame thus determined is displayed on the indicating device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a digital still camera that cantake up an image and convert the data of the image to digital data torecord it on a recording medium, the recorded digital data being able tobe reproduced by an external play back device.

[0003] 2. Related Background Art

[0004] A digital still camera picks up the image of a photographicsubject by using an imaging element such as a CCD, converts the imagedata to a digital data, which are the result of photographing, and thenrecords the digital data to a recording medium such as a memory card.The data thus recorded are reproduced by a monitor connected to thecamera.

[0005] However, the majority of digital still cameras in the prior artare not provided with reproducing functions. Because of this, in orderto reproduce the images, a reproducing unit that transfers the digitaldata from the camera to the monitor must be mounted on the camera mainbody. Since it is bothersome to attach and detach the reproducing uniteach time the photographer switches between photographing andreproduction, many photographers perform photographing with thereproducing unit left attached to the camera main body.

[0006] With the reproducing unit mounted, however, the overall weightand bulk of the camera equipment is increased and it becomes toocumbersome to carry around. And the mounted reproducing unit hindersphotographing and may cause the photographer to miss good photographingopportunities.

[0007] Digital still cameras provided with reproducing functions arealso known in the prior art. In this type of camera, in order tominiaturize the camera body, only the minimum required functionality ofa normal reproducing unit is usually provided. Because of this, withthis type of camera, while the frame number of the frame data that iscurrently being reproduced can be displayed on an indicator unit of thecamera, the total frame number of the photographic data recorded on thememory card cannot be indicated.

[0008] In addition, when displaying the data recorded on the memory cardon an external monitor, the recorded data must be converted to imagesignals. Widely known signal processing systems for image signalsinclude the NTSC system and the PAL system. Digital still camerasequipped with reproducing functions in the known art only support one ofeither the NTSC system or the PAL system. This means that in order toconnect a camera that outputs NTSC image signals to a PAL-type monitor,a time-consuming task of converting the image signals output from thecamera to PAL type image signals must be completed before they can beinput to the monitor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a digital stillcamera with which various reproducing functions can be both selected andindicated without adding new operating members by effectively usingvarious operating members that are already provided in the camera bodyas in prior art. In order to achieve the object described above, thepresent invention is applied to a digital still camera that comprises afirst operating member that can set photography-related information, anindicating device that can indicate photography-related information, animaging device that outputs image data corresponding to the image of aphotographic subject that has been picked up, a recording device thatconverts image data to digital data and records them to a recordingmedium and an image signal conversion circuit that converts the recordeddigital data to image signals, and can output converted image signals toan external monitor. It further comprises a selecting member that canselect either a photographing mode for performing photographing or areproducing mode for performing reproduction, and a control circuitthat, when the operation is switched from the photographing mode to thereproducing mode by the selecting member, causes the indicating deviceto display a first indication to the effect that the operation is instandby for the reproduction, and that when the first operating memberis operated while the first indication is being displayed, outputs imagesignals to the monitor and causes the indicating device to display asecond indication to the effect that reproduction is in progress.

[0010] With the digital still camera according to the present invention,since the reproduction standby status and the reproducing status areswitched by operating the first operating member, which is originallyprovided to set the photography-related information, the reproducingfunctions can be selected without providing an additional operatingmember. Consequently, without new reproducing functions added, thecamera body of a camera in the prior art can be used as is, achieving acost reduction. Moreover, since the indication format on the indicatingdevice of the camera is changed depending upon whether the operation isin the reproduction standby state or the reproducing state, it ispossible to verify whether or not reproduction is currently in progressby the indication on the indicating device.

[0011] The present invention is also applied to a digital still cameracomprising an imaging device that outputs image data corresponding tothe image of a photographic subject which has been picked up and arecording device that converts image data to digital data and recordsthem to a recording medium. The camera is further provided with an imagesignal conversion circuit that converts recorded digital data to imagesignals, an output circuit that outputs the image signals andphotography-related information related to the image signals to anexternal monitor in a specific signal processing system and aphotography-related information changing circuit that changes part of,or the whole of the photography-related information to be output to themonitor in correspondence to the signal processing system that is set inadvance on the monitor.

[0012] Since the digital still camera according to the present inventionchanges part of, or all the photography-related information incorrespondence to the signal type that is set in advance on the monitor,to display it on the monitor, the photography-related information can bedisplayed in a display format that is compatible with the signalprocessing system. Furthermore, by just looking at thephotography-related information on the monitor, the signal processingsystem of the image signals output from the camera can be verified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the digital stillcamera according to the present invention;

[0014] FIGS. 2A-2C show the contents of indications displayed on theindicating device;

[0015]FIGS. 3A and 3B show a change of indication in indication area Cduring a reproduction standby;

[0016] FIGS. 4A-4D show changes of indication in indication area Cduring reproduction;

[0017]FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow charts illustrating the processingoperations performed by the control circuit;

[0018]FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow charts that continues from FIGS. 5A and5B;

[0019]FIGS. 7A and 7B are flow charts that continues from FIGS. 6A and6B;

[0020]FIGS. 8A and 8B are flow charts that continues from FIGS. 7A and7B;

[0021]FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the photography-related informationswitching processing that the control circuit performs duringreproduction;

[0022]FIG. 10 is a flow chart that continues from FIG. 9;

[0023] FIGS. 11A-11C show changes of indication of photography-relatedinformation displayed on the monitor;

[0024]FIGS. 12A and 12B show the different indication formats used toindicate the date in the NTSC system and the PAL system;

[0025]FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate how file names for photographic framedata, which are stored on the memory card, are assigned;

[0026]FIGS. 14A and 14B show an example indication on the indicatingdevice when the photometry mode switch and the exposure correctionchangeover switch are operated at the same time in the reproducing mode;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] Following is an explanation of an embodiment of a digital stillcamera according to the present invention in reference to FIGS. 1-14.FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the embodiment of the digital still cameraaccording to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the light flux of aphotographic subject that has passed through a photographic lens 1 isthen induced to a diaphragm 2. Reference number 3 indicates a quickreturn mirror (hereafter referred to as the mirror) which lets the lightflux of the photographic subject that has passed through the diaphragm 2pass and also reflects the light flux from the photographic subject. Thepart of the light flux that is reflected by the mirror 3 is led to amulti-divided SPD (Silicon Photo Diode) 4 and the light flux that haspassed the mirror 3 is led to a shutter 5. The multi-divided SPD 4 isconstituted of a plurality of photometric elements and performsphotometry on the photographic field divided into a plurality of areas.The output of each photometric element is amplified by a photometricamplifier 6.

[0028] Reference number 7 indicates an diaphragm drive device forcontrolling the stop quantity of the diaphragm 2 and reference number 8indicates a shutter drive circuit for controlling opening and closing ofthe shutter 5. Reference number 9 indicates a CCD, which receives thelight flux of the photographic subject while the shutter 5 is opening,accumulates a signal charge that corresponds to the quantity of lightreceived and outputs the accumulated signal charge as image data.Reference number 10 indicates a CCD drive circuit that controls thecharge accumulation and charge transfer performed by the CCD 9.Reference number 11 indicates a signal processing circuit that performscorrection processing including white balance adjustment, γ correctionand outline correction for the image data output from the CCD 9.Reference number 12 indicates a compression circuit that compresses theimage data for which correction processing has been performed in thesignal processing circuit 11 and the compressed data are then stored ona memory card 13.

[0029] Reference number 14 indicates a control circuit that controls thediaphragm drive device 7, the shutter drive circuit 8 and the CCD drivecircuit 10. Reference number 15 indicates an indicating device thatdisplays various types of information necessary for photographing andreproduction, which may be provided, for instance, on the upper surfaceof the camera. Reference number 16 indicates a power supply switch thatswitches between supplying and not supplying a source voltage to variousparts of the camera. Reference number 17 indicates a first positionswitch that is turned ON when the release button (not shown) is pressedhalfway down and reference number 18 indicates a second position switchwhich is turned ON when the release button is pressed all the way down.Reference number 19 indicates a photographing/reproducing selectionswitch that selects either the photographing mode for photographing orthe reproducing mode for performing reproduction. Reference number 20indicates a pulse generator that outputs a pulse signal every time acommand dial (not shown) is rotated by a specific quantity. Referencenumber 21 indicates a sensitivity changeover switch that switches thesensitivity of the CCD 9. Reference number 22 indicates a photometrymode changeover switch for switching to and from the photometry mode.Reference number 23 indicates an exposure correction changeover switchfor switching exposure correction quantities, and reference number 24indicates an image signal conversion circuit that converts thephotographic image data stored on the memory card 13 to image signals.The image signal conversion circuit 24 outputs image signals in eitherthe NTSC system or PAL system as detailed later. Reference number 25indicates a photographing mode changeover switch for switching amongvarious photographing modes (program mode, diaphragm priority mode,shutter priority mode, etc.).

[0030] FIGS. 2A-2C, 3A and 3B, and 4A-4F show the details of indicationsdisplayed on the indicating device 15. FIG. 2A shows the indication thathas lighted up elements in all the indication areas and FIG. 2B showsthe indication displayed when the photographing mode is being selected.In FIG. 2A the compression mode is displayed in the indication area A,the sensitivity of the CCD 9 while photographing is indicated in theindication area B, the mode that is set for the white balance isindicated in the indication area C, the exposure mode is indicated inthe indication area D and the presence or absence of exposure correctionis indicated in the indication area E. Furthermore, the photometry modeis indicated in the indication area F, the battery capacity in theindication area G, the aperture value in the indication area H, theshutter speed in the indication area I, the number of frames remainingthat can be recorded on the memory card 13 is indicated in theindication area J and the frame number of the photographic frame for thenext photograph is displayed in the indication area K.

[0031]FIG. 2C shows the contents of the indication displayed on theindicating device 15 when the reproducing mode is selected. As shown inthe figure, the letters “Pb”, indicating that the reproducing mode isset are displayed in the indication area H, the frame number of theframe data currently being reproduced is displayed in the indicationarea I, and the total number of photographic frames that have recordedon the memory card 13 is displayed in the indication area K. Note that,the contents of the indication displayed in the indication area C variesdepending upon whether the operation is in standby for reproduction orreproduction is in progress.

[0032]FIGS. 3A and 3B show the change in indication in the indicationarea C during a reproduction standby and FIGS. 4A-4F show change inindication in the indication area C during reproduction. The indicationsin the indication area C during reproduction standby switch at highspeed as follows; FIG. 3A→FIG. 3B→FIG. 3A . . . . The indications in theindication area C during reproduction, on the other hand, switchsequentially at a lower speed as follows; FIG. 4A→FIG. 4B→FIG. 4C→FIG.4D→FIG. 4E→FIG. 4F→FIG. 4A . . . .

[0033] As a result, in this embodiment according to the presentinvention, since the indication formats in the indication area Calternate with changes between reproduction and reproduction standby,identification as to whether reproduction is currently in progress orthe operation is in standby for reproduction is facilitated. This makesit possible for the photographer to verify with the indication on theindicating device 15 whether or not image signals are being output fromthe camera to the monitor.

[0034] FIGS. 5A-8B are flow charts illustrating the processing performedin the control circuit 14. The following is an explanation of theoperation of the embodiment in reference to the flow chart. Note thatthe control circuit 14 starts the processing shown in FIGS. 5A-8B whenthe release button is pressed halfway down. In step S1 in FIG. 5A, thesource voltage is applied to the various parts of the camera. With this,the initial picture plane is displayed on the indicating device 15 onthe upper surface of the camera and on the viewfinder indicator unit(not shown). In step S2, a decision is made as to whether thereproducing mode or the photographing mode has been selected with thephotographing/reproducing selection switch 19.

[0035] If the photographing mode has been selected, the operationproceeds to step S3 in which various settings required for aphotographing operation, such as the photometry mode, the sensitivity,the stop value and the shutter speed, are made. In step S4, numericalvalues representing the stop value, the shutter speed and the like aredisplayed on the viewfinder indicator unit and the indicating device 15on the upper surface of the camera. In step S5, a decision is made as towhether or not the mode for implementing autofocusing has been selected.If the decision is affirmative, the operation proceeds to step S6 inwhich the AF motor is driven to perform processing for detecting focusadjustment information. When the processing in step S6 is completed or,if the decision made in step S5 is negative, the operation proceeds tostep S7, in which a decision is made as to whether or not the releasebutton has been pressed all the way down, i.e., whether or not thesecond position switch 18 has been turned on.

[0036] If the decision is affirmative, the operation proceeds to step S8in which photographing control, including exposure control, shuttercontrol and the like is performed, and the operation proceeds to stepS2.

[0037] If the decision made in step S7 is negative, the operationproceeds to step S9, in which a decision is made as to whether or notthe photographing mode has been changed with operating of any one of theoperating members for setting the photographing mode. If the operatingmember has been operated and the photographing mode has been changed,the operation returns to step S3 to perform setting for thephotographing operation. If the photographing mode has not been changed,the operation proceeds to step S10, in which a decision is made as towhether or not 16 seconds have elapsed since the release button waspressed halfway down. If it has not elapsed, the operation returns tostep S7. If 16 seconds have elapsed, the operation proceeds to step S11,in which the supply of the source voltage to the various parts of thecamera is stopped, to achieve a reduction in power consumption. If, onthe other hand, it is decided in step 2 that the reproducing mode hasbeen selected, the operation proceeds to step S12 shown in FIG. 6A, inwhich the drive of the AF motor is prohibited to achieve a reduction inpower consumption. In step S13, the viewfinder indicator unit is turnedoff. With this, the photographer can know that photographing is notpossible and, at the same time, a reduction in power consumption isachieved. Note that, instead of turning off the viewfinder indicatorunit, it may be displayed that the reproducing mode has been selected.However, since the photographer can verify that the reproducing mode hasbeen selected on the display of the indicating device 15 on the uppersurface of the camera, in this embodiment, the viewfinder indicator unitis turned off, to reduce power consumption. In step S14, pressing downthe release button all the way is prohibited. With this, recording tothe memory card 13 in the reproducing mode is reliably prohibited.

[0038] When the processing in step S14 is completed, the operationproceeds to step S15, in which the reproduction standby indication isdisplayed. In other words, as described earlier, the indications in theindication area C are switched rapidly as follows; FIG. 3A→FIG. 3B→FIG.3A . . . . In step S16, a decision is made as to whether or not thecommand dial has been operated. In this embodiment, it is decided thatthe command dial has been operated if a pulse signal is output from thepulse generator 20. If the decision in step S16 is negative, theoperation proceeds to step S17, to decide whether or not 16 seconds haveelapsed since the start of the reproduction standby indication. If thedecision is negative, the operation returns to step S15 but if thedecision is affirmative, the operation proceeds to step S18, in whichthe power to the camera is turned off to end processing.

[0039] If the decision in step S16 is affirmative, the operationproceeds to step S19, in which a decision is made as to whether or notthe sensitivity changeover switch 21 has been operated in combinationwith the command dial. If the decision is negative, the operationproceeds to step S20, in which a decision is made as to whether or notthe exposure correction changeover switch 23 and the photometry modechangeover switch 22 have been operated in combination with the commanddial. If the decision is negative, the operation proceeds to step S21,in which the first photographic frame recorded on the memory card 13 isreproduced on an external monitor and also, the indications on theindicating device 15 are changed. To be more specific, as shown in FIG.2C, the letters “Pb”, indicating that reproduction is in progress aredisplayed in the indication area H, with “1” in the indication area Iindicating that the first photographic frame is being reproduced and“12” in the indication area K indicating that the total number of framesrecorded on the memory card 13 is twelve. Also, by changing theindications in the indication area C sequentially as follows, FIG.4A→FIG. 4B→FIG. 4C→FIG. 4D→FIG. 4E→FIG. 4F→FIG. 4A . . . , it isindicated that reproduction is in progress.

[0040] If, on the other hand, the decision in step S20 is affirmative,the operation proceeds to step S22, in which a decision is made as towhether the current reproduction system is the NTSC system or the PALsystem. If the current reproduction system is PAL system, the operationproceeds to step S23 to change it to NTSC system and if the currentreproduction system is NTSC system, the operation proceeds to step S24to change it to PAL system. When the processing in step S23 or S24 ends,the operation returns to step S21.

[0041] If the decision in step S19 is affirmative, the operationproceeds to step S25, in which the frame number of the photographicframe for the reproduction, which corresponds to the quantity ofoperation of the command dial, is displayed on the indicating device 15,and this photographic frame is displayed on the external monitor. Whenthe processing in step S21 or S25 ends, the operation proceeds to stepS26 shown in FIG. 7A, in which a decision is made as to whether or notthe command dial has been operated. If an affirmative decision is made,the operation proceeds to step S27, in which a decision is made as towhether or not the sensitivity changeover switch 21 has also beenoperated in combination with the command dial. If the decision isaffirmative, the operation proceeds to step S28, in which the framenumber of the photographic frame for reproduction, which corresponds tothe quantity of operation of the command dial, is displayed and thisphotographic frame is reproduced on the external monitor. If a negativedecision is made in step S27, the operation proceeds to step S29, inwhich a decision is made as to whether or not the exposure correctionchangeover switch 23 and the photometry mode changeover switch 22 havebeen operated in combination with the command dial. If a negativedecision is made, the operation proceeds to step S30, to reproduce thenext photographic frame and to indicate its frame number on theindicating device 15. When the processing in step S28 or S30 iscompleted, the operation returns to step S26.

[0042] If, on the other hand, the decision in step S29 is affirmative,the operation proceeds to step S31, in which a decision is made as towhether the current reproduction system is the NTSC system or the PALsystem. If the current reproduction system is PAL system, the operationproceeds to step S32 to change it to NTSC system. If the currentreproduction system is NTSC system, the operation proceeds to step S33to change it to PAL system. When the processing in step S32 or S33 ends,the operation returns to step S30.

[0043] If a negative decision is made in step S26, the operationproceeds to step S34, in which a decision is made as to whether or not 3minutes have elapsed since the reproduction of the current photographicframe has been started. If a negative decision is made, the operationreturns to step S26 and if an affirmative decision is made, theoperation proceeds to step S35 shown in FIG. 8A. In step S35, thereproduction standby indication is made. In step S36, a decision is madeas to whether or not 16 seconds have elapsed since the reproductionstandby indication has been started. If an affirmative decision is made,the operation proceeds to step S37, in which the power is turned off toend the processing. If a negative decision is made in step S36, theoperation proceeds to step S38, in which a decision is made as towhether or not the command dial has been operated. If the decision isnegative, the operation returns to step S35 and if the decision isaffirmative, the operation proceeds to step S39. In step S39, as in stepS27 shown in FIG. 7A, a decision is made as to whether or not thesensitivity changeover switch 21 has been operated in combination withthe command dial. If the decision is affirmative, the operation proceedsto step S40, in which the frame number of the photographic frame for thereproduction, which corresponds to the quantity of operation of thecommand dial, is displayed, and this photographic frame is reproduced.If a negative decision is made in step S39, the operation proceeds tostep S41, in which a decision is made as to whether or not the exposurecorrection changeover switch 23 and the photometry mode changeoverswitch 22 have been operated in combination with the command dial. If anegative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S42, in whichthe frame, the number of which was displayed before the reproductionstandby, is reproduced.

[0044] If, on the other hand, the decision in step S41 is affirmative,the operation proceeds to step S43, in which a decision is made as towhether or not the signal processing system currently selected for imagesignals is the NTSC system or the PAL system. If the current imagesignal processing system is PAL system, the operation proceeds to stepS44 to change it to NTSC system and if the current signal system is NTSCsystem, the operation proceeds to step S45 to change it to PAL system.When the processing in step S44 or S45 ends, the operation returns tostep S42.

[0045] To summarize the processing illustrated in FIGS. 5A-8B that hasbeen described so far, when the reproducing mode is selected, drive ofthe AF motor is prohibited and, at the same time, the viewfinderindicator unit is turned off, to reduce power consumption. Also, byensuring that the release button cannot be pressed all the way down,recording on to the memory card 13 during reproduction is prohibited.Then, the indication to the effect that the operation is in standby forreproduction is displayed on the indicating device 15. If the commanddial is not operated even when 16 seconds have elapsed since theindication to the effect that the operation is in standby forreproduction has been started, the supply of the source voltage to thevarious parts of the camera is stopped, to reduce power consumption. If,on the other hand, the command dial is operated within the 16 seconds,image signals are output to the external monitor and also, an indicationto the effect that reproduction is in progress is displayed on theindicating device 15. If the command dial is operated within 3 minutesafter reproduction of a given photographic frame has been started, thenext photographic frame is also reproduced. If, on the other hand, thecommand dial is not operated within 3 minutes, the indication to theeffect that the operation is in standby for reproduction is redisplayed.

[0046] In addition, if the sensitivity changeover switch 21 and thecommand dial are operated at the same time during reproduction or duringstandby for reproduction, the photographic frame to be reproduced isdetermined in correspondence to the quantity and direction of therotation of the command dial and the frame number of the frame thusdetermined is displayed on the indicating device 15. Furthermore, if theexposure correction changeover switch 23 and the photometry modechangeover switch 22 are operated at the same time during the operationof the command dial, the signal processing system of image signals isswitched.

[0047] As has been explained, with the processing described in referenceto in FIGS. 5A-8B, various settings for reproduction are made by usingthe command dial and the sensitivity changeover switch 21, which areoriginally provided for setting information related to photographing,thereby eliminating the necessity of adding new operating members andmaking it possible to use a camera body of the prior art as it is. Inaddition, if the command dial is not operated within 3 minutes after agiven photographic frame has been reproduced, the operationautomatically enters the reproduction standby state and if the commanddial is not operated within 16 seconds after the operation enters thereproduction standby state, the power is automatically turned off,resulting in a reduction in power consumption.

[0048] Furthermore, when the reproducing mode is selected, the framenumber of the frame data that is currently being reproduced or which isto be reproduced, and the total number of photographic frames recordedon the memory card 13 are always displayed on the indicating device 15.Therefore, the photographer can be apprised of which photographic frameis being reproduced currently and also of the remaining number ofphotographic frames that can be recorded on the memory card 13,achieving effective use of the memory card 13. Moreover, since thesignal processing system of image signals output from the camera ischanged in correspondence to the type of the monitor connected to thecamera, different types of monitors can be connected to one camera withno problem.

[0049]FIGS. 9 and 10 are flow charts illustrating thephotography-related information switching processing performed by thecontrol circuit 14 when the command dial is rotated at the same time asthe photographing mode changeover switch 25 is operated duringreproduction of the photographic frame data. FIGS. 11A-11D show thechange in photography-related information displayed on the monitor. Whenreproduction of the photographic frame data has been started, thephotography-related information is not displayed on the monitor, asshown in FIG. 11A, and then, later, when the photographer rotates thecommand dial at the same time as he operates the photographing modechangeover switch 25, the control circuit 14 starts the processing shownin FIG. 9. In step S51 shown in FIG. 9, a decision is made as to whetheror not the command dial has been rotated in the forward direction (theclockwise direction, for instance). If the command dial has beenoperated in the forward direction, the operation proceeds to step S52,in which the frame number of the frame for reproduction is displayed onthe monitor, as shown in FIG. 11B. In step S53, a decision is made againas to whether or not the command dial has been rotated at the same timeas the operation of the photographing mode changeover switch 25. If anaffirmative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S54, inwhich a decision is made as to whether or not the command dial has beenrotated in the forward direction. If it is decided that it has beenrotated in the reverse direction, the operation proceeds to step S55, inwhich the frame number of the frame data for reproduction, which is ondisplay on the monitor, is erased. And the operation returns to stepS51.

[0050] If, on the other hand, it is decided in step S54 that the commanddial has been operated in the forward direction, the operation proceedsto step S56, in which a decision is made as to whether or not the imagesignal processing system that is currently selected is the NTSC system.If the NTSC system is selected, the operation proceeds to step S57, inwhich the order in which the date information is displayed is set toMonth→Day→Year. If, on the other hand, it is decided in step S56 thatthe NTSC system is not selected, the operation proceeds to step S58, inwhich the order in which the date information is displayed is set toDay→Month→Year. When the processing in step S57 or S58 ends, theoperation proceeds to step S59, in which the date information and thetime information are displayed in addition to the frame number of theframe data for reproduction, as shown in FIG. 11C.

[0051] In step S60, a decision is made again as to whether or not thecommand dial has been rotated at the same time as the operation of thephotographing mode changeover switch 25. If the decision is negative,the operation remains in step S60. If an affirmative decision is made,the operation proceeds to step S61, in which a decision is made as towhether or not the command dial has been rotated in the forwarddirection. If it is decided that the command dial has been rotated inthe reverse direction, the operation proceeds to step S62 to erase thedate information and the time information that have been on display, andthen returns to step S53.

[0052] If it is decided in step S61 that the command dial has beenrotated in the forward direction, the operation proceeds to S63 shown inFIG. 10, in which the file name is displayed in addition to thereproduction frame number, the date information and the timeinformation, as shown in FIG. 11D.

[0053] In step S64 that follows, a decision is made again as to whetheror not the command dial has been rotated at the same time as theoperation of the photographing mode changeover switch 25. If thedecision is negative, the operation remains in step S64. If anaffirmative decision is made, the operation proceeds to step S65, inwhich a decision is made as to whether or not the command dial has beenrotated in the forward direction. If it is decided that the command dialhas been rotated in the reverse direction, the operation proceeds tostep S66 to erase the file name that has been on display, and thenreturns to step S60. If, on the other hand, it is decided in step S65that the command dial has been rotated in the forward direction, theoperation proceeds to step S67 to erase all the photography-relatedinformation that has been on display, and then proceeds to step S68. Instep S68, a decision is made again as to whether or not the command dialhas been rotated at the same time as the operation of the photographingmode changeover switch 25. If the decision is negative, the operationremains in step S68. If an affirmative decision is made, the operationreturns to step S51.

[0054] If, on the other hand, it is decided in step S51 shown in FIG. 9,that the command dial has been operated in the reverse direction, theoperation proceeds to step S69 shown in FIG. 10. In steps S69-S74, theprocessing for indicating all of the photography-related information isperformed, as shown in FIG. 11D.

[0055] In step S69, the reproduction frame number is displayed. Then instep S70, a decision is made as to whether or not the signal system withwhich signals are output to the monitor is the NTSC system. If thedecision is affirmative, the operation proceeds to step S71, and theorder in which the date information is displayed is set toMonth→Day→Year. If it is decided in step S71 that the current signalsystem is not the NTSC system the operation proceeds to step S72, inwhich the order in which the date information is displayed is set toDay→Month→Year. When the processing in step S71 or S72 is completed, theoperation proceeds to step S73, in which the date information and thetime information are displayed in addition to the reproduction framenumber. In the following step S74, the file name of the photographicframe for reproduction is also displayed, and then the operationproceeds to step S64.

[0056] In the processing shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 that has been explainedso far, when the photographer rotates the command dial while operatingthe photographing mode changeover switch 25 during reproduction of thephotographic frame data, the photography-related information to bedisplayed on the monitor is changed in correspondence to the quantityand direction of the rotation of the command dial. In other words, inthis embodiment, the frame number, the date and the time informationrelating to the reproduced frame data and the file name of thereproduced frame data are provided as the photography-relatedinformation and when the command dial is rotated in the forwarddirection (the clockwise direction) while the photographing modechangeover switch 25 is operated, the photography-related informationdisplay is switched in the order of FIG. 11A→FIG. 11B→FIG. 11C→FIG.11D→FIG. 11A . . . . In contrast, when the command dial is rotated inthe reverse direction (the counter-clockwise direction) while thephotographing mode changeover switch 25 is operated, thephotography-related information display is switched in the order of FIG.11A→FIG. 11D→FIG. 11C→FIG. 11B→FIG. 11A . . . .

[0057] As has been explained, with the combined operation of thephotographing mode changeover switch 25 and the command dial, which areoriginally provided for setting the photographing mode, thephotography-related information to be displayed on the monitor can beselected using a camera body of the prior art as it is. In addition, inthis embodiment, the order in which the date information is displayed isswitched in correspondence to the signal processing system of imagesignals output from the camera. For instance, when image signals areoutput in the NTSC system, the date information is displayed in theorder of Month→Day→Year as shown in FIG. 12A and when image signals areoutput in the PAL system, the date information is displayed in the orderof Day→Month→Year as shown in FIG. 12B. The indication order is switchedwith regard to the different customs in the USA and Europe forindicating dates where those different signals processing system areadopted.

[0058] In FIG. 11D the file name displayed in the upper left corner ofthe screen is inherent to a given photographic frame and a name thatconforms to the MS-DOS file format, which is a type of OS for personalcomputers, is automatically assigned. To be more specific, every filename is composed of 7 characters of which the four characters on theright side of the file name are digits, and are assigned numbers thatindicate the order in which the frame was recorded on the memory card13. For instance, the file name “DSC0005” shown in FIG. 11D indicatesthat these frame data were the fifth photographic frame data to berecorded on the memory card 13. The memory card 13 is provided with anarea P for storing the photographic frame data for each photographicframe and an area Q for storing the photography-related information,such as file names and dates (hereafter referred to as managementinformation) for individual frames, and each time a new photographicframe is photographed, new data are recorded in both the areas P and Q.The management information recorded on the memory card 13 may beuploaded to a personal computer via a card reader and the managementinformation thus uploaded can be displayed on a monitor screen connectedto the personal computer. For instance, the photographer can display alist of the file names recorded on the memory card 13 on the monitorscreen, select a given file from the list and erase the file from thememory card 13.

[0059] Note that, when some of the files recorded on the memory card 13are erased, new photographic frame data may be recorded in the areawhere the erased files were stored. In that case, file names differentfrom the file names of the erased files are assigned. For instance, FIG.13A shows an example in which five files “DSC0001”-“DSC0005” arerecorded on the memory card 13, then the file “DSC0003” is erased andnew photographic frame data are recorded in the area occupied by theerased file. In this case, the file name corresponding to the newphotographic frame data is “DSC0006”, which is one more than the“DSC0005”, which is the file name of the last file recorded on thememory card 13. As is obvious, the last 4 characters in each file nameare an identifier which indicates the order of recording in which thephotographic frame data has been recorded on the memory card 13. Thephotographer can ascertain how many times recording and erasure havebeen repeated on the memory card 13 with the identifier.

[0060] The reproduction frame number that is displayed in the upperright corner of the screen in FIG. 11D indicates the order ofreproduction assigned on the memory card 13. In this embodiment, sincereproduction is performed in the order in which the photographic framesare recorded on the memory card 13, i.e., the file with smaller numberin the last 4 characters in the file name is earlier reproduced than thefile with larger number. For instance, when the file “DSC0006” shown inFIG. 13A is reproduced, the number “5” will be displayed. FIG. 13B showsthe relation between the file names and the reproduction frame numbers.

[0061] However, when erasure and re-recording are repeated on the memorycard 13, the order in which the files are reproduced and the order inwhich they are recorded on the memory card 13 become inconsistent.Because of this, if, for instance, only the reproduction frame number isdisplayed, there is a likelihood that this number would be mistaken forthe number of the order in which this photographic frame was recorded onthe memory card 13. To deal with this problem, in this embodiment, theindication given in the upper right corner of the screen ensures thatthe reproduction frame number can be verified and with the indication ofthe file name displayed in the upper left corner of the screen, theorder in which it was recorded on the memory card 13 can be verified. Inaddition, by indicating the file name, it is possible to erase the fileby specifying the file name on the personal computer.

[0062] Another feature of this embodiment is that when the photometrymode changeover switch 22 and the exposure correction changeover switch23 have been operated in combination while photographic frame data arebeing reproduced, the information that indicates the signal processingsystem of the image signals is displayed on the indicating device 15 forthe duration of the combined operation. FIGS. 14A and 14B shows aexamples of indication displayed on the screen of the indicating device15 while the photometry mode changeover switch 22 and the exposurecorrection changeover switch 23 have been operated in combination. FIG.14A shows an example in which image signals in the NTSC system areoutput and FIG. 14B shows an example in which image signals in the PALsystem are output.

[0063] As has been explained, since, in this embodiment, the currentsignal system of image signals can be indicated on the indicating device15, it can be verified in advance whether or not the signal systemmatches the type of the monitor that is set.

[0064] While in this embodiment, an example in which the memory card 13is used for the recording medium is explained, a recording medium otherthan the memory card 13, such as a floppy disk or an optical disk may beused as well. In addition, while in the embodiment an example in whichthe NTSC system and the PAL systems are switched from one to the otherhas been explained, any other signal systems may be likewise switched.Although in the embodiment described so far, various functions forreproduction are switched using the command dial, the sensitivitychangeover switch 21 and the like, the switches that may be used forswitching various functions are not limited those explained in theembodiment above. In other words, any switches may be used as long asthey are provided in the camera originally for setting informationrelated to photographing. While in the embodiment above, the indicationin regard to the reproducing mode is made on the indicating device 15which is already provided on the upper surface of the camera, thisindication related to the reproducing mode may be made on an indicatingdevice provided at a location other than the upper surface, i.e., therear surface of the camera for instance. In addition, while in theembodiment above, when selecting various reproduction functions theoperation of a plurality of operating members in combination is used asa condition for selection, those operating members do not have to beoperated at the same time. The condition may be set such that aplurality of operating members are operated in some form of combinationwithin a specific period of time, for instance, to select thereproduction functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital still camera, comprising: an imagedevice that outputs image data corresponding to the image of aphotographic subject which has been picked up, a recording device thatconverts said image data to digital data and records said digital datato a recording medium, said camera further comprising: a selectiondevice that enables a user to select a specific signal processing systemfrom a plurality of signal processing systems including at least a NTSCand a PAL system without restarting the digital still camera; an outputcircuit operative in conformance with the plurality of signal processingsystems that converts said digital data recorded by said recordingdevice to image signals and outputs said image signals in accordancewith the specific signal processing system selected at the selectiondevice, wherein said recording device records said digital data to saidrecording medium at a compression format, said recording medium canstore a plurality of said compressed digital data, and said outputcircuit converts said compressed digital data to said image signals andoutputs said image signals to an external monitor connected to thedigital still camera in order to reproduce an image corresponding tosaid image signals.
 2. A digital still camera according to claim 1,further comprising: a display device that displays information showingthe currently selected signal processing system while said selectiondevice is operated to selected one of the signal processing system.
 3. Adigital still camera according to claim 2, wherein said recording mediumis a memory card.
 4. A digital still camera according to claim 3,further comprising: a selection switch that selects either aphotographing mode or a reproducing mode, wherein said output circuitoutputs a frame number information to superimpose a frame number ontosaid image on said external monitor when the reproducing mode isselected by said selection switch.
 5. A digital still camera,comprising: an image device that outputs image data corresponding to theimage of a photographic subject which has been picked up; a recordingdevice that converts said image data to compressed digital data andrecords said compressed digital data to a memory card which can storeplural said compressed digital data; a selection device that enables auser to select a specific signal processing system from a plurality ofsignal processing systems including at least a NTSC and a PAL systemwithout restarting the digital still camera; and an output circuitoperative in conformance with the plurality of signal processing systemsthat converts said compressed digital data recorded by said recordingdevice to image signals and outputs said image signals, to an externalmonitor connected to the digital still camera, in accordance with thespecific signal processing system selected at the selection device.
 6. Adigital still camera defined by a camera body, comprising: an imagedevice that outputs image data corresponding to the image of aphotographic subject which has been picked up, a recording device thatconverts said image data to digital data and records said digital datato a recording medium, said camera further comprising: a selectiondevice that enables a user to select a specific signal processing systemfrom a plurality of signal processing systems including at least a NTSCand a PAL system without restarting the digital still camera; an outputcircuit operative in conformance with the plurality of signal processingsystems that converts said digital data recorded by said recordingdevice to image signals and outputs said image signals in accordancewith the specific signal processing system selected at the selectiondevice, a display located on the camera body for indicating the selectedsignal processing system; and wherein said recording device records saiddigital data to said recording medium in a compressed format, whereinsaid recording medium can store a plurality of said compressed digitaldata, wherein said output circuit converts said compressed digital datato said image signals, and wherein said digital still camera is adaptedto be connected to an external monitor in order to output said imagesignals to said monitor for viewing.
 7. A digital still camera accordingto claim 6, wherein said display device displays information showing thecurrently selected signal processing system while said selection deviceis operated to selected one of the signal processing system.
 8. Adigital still camera according to claim 7, wherein said recording mediumis a memory card.
 9. A digital still camera according to claim 8,further comprising: a selection switch that selects either aphotographing mode or a reproducing mode, wherein said output circuitoutputs a frame number information to superimpose a frame number ontosaid image on said external monitor when the reproducing mode isselected by said selection switch.
 10. A digital still camera defined bya camera body, comprising: an image device that outputs image datacorresponding to the image of a photographic subject which has beenpicked up; a recording device that converts said image data tocompressed digital data and records said compressed digital data to amemory card which can store plural said compressed digital data; aselection device that enables a user to select a specific signalprocessing system from a plurality of signal processing systemsincluding at least a NTSC and a PAL system without restarting thedigital still camera; a display located on the camera body forindicating the selected signal processing system; and an output circuitoperative in conformance with the plurality of signal processing systemsthat converts said compressed digital data recorded by said recordingdevice to image signals and outputs said image signals, wherein thedigital still camera is configured to output said image signals to anexternal monitor in accordance with the specific signal processingsystem selected at the selection device.